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Qualification Specification
Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
QAN: 600/3505/5
Version: October 2012
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Contact details:
Institute of British Sign Language
11-13 Wilson Patten Street
Warrington
WA1 1PG
Tel: 01925 632463
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ibsl.org.uk
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Qualification Specification
IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
QCF Accreditation Number: 600/3505/5
IBSL Qualification Reference: IBSL4A
Qualification Aim
This qualification aims to further learners experiences and development in communication through British
Sign Language (BSL) with Deaf people at an extended level. A Level 4 course will enable development in
functional BSL communication in more depth than at earlier levels, requiring the ability to exchange,
present and understand information, ideas, advice and opinions at normal speed, and also develop an
awareness of cultural interaction with Deaf people who use BSL.
This qualification has been developed in accordance with the National Language Standards at Level 4 (2010)
and (for one unit) the National Occupational Standards for Intercultural Working (2008).
Qualification Structure
The qualification is divided into three units as follows:
IBSL4AUN: Understand Extended Signed Language in a range of work contexts Unit Number: T/503/3712
IBSL4ASN : Sign using extended Signed Language in a range of work contexts Unit Number: R/503/3717
IBSL4ALN : Exploring Linguistics in British Sign Language Unit Number: F/503/3714
All three units can be achieved separately, but the full Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
can only be given if there is a PASS in each unit.
Assessment procedures are detailed on the relevant unit pages.
The recommended learning time is 50 hours for each unit, of which 50 hours should be devoted to out-of-
class learning and activities, including research and project work.
Total credits available for the qualification is 27.
Qualification Objectives
At the end of the qualification, learners can:
Handle most aspects of their day-to-day work, including the unpredictable; Understand and use relevant technical vocabulary; Distinguish most common accents or regional forms and the style/formality of the language;
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Unit Specification: IBSL4AUN: Understand Extended Signed Language in a wide
range of work situations
(QCF unit accreditation number: T/503/3712)
Unit Summary, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Unit Summary, Guided Learning Hours and Total Credits
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand detailed information from a range of sources, and
follow discussions, debates, arguments and lines of reasoning, negotiations, films or televised excerpts of
most aspects of work-related and social contexts. The learner will be familiar with most common accents or
regional forms and can distinguish the style and formality of the language. The learner will be able to deal
with non-routine telephone or video calls in which BSL is used.
It is recommended that there are 50 guided learning hours for this unit, of which 30 hours are classroom-
based and 20 hours outside the classroom immersing themselves into the language and doing project work.
The total number of credits for this unit is 9.
Relevance to National Standards
This qualification relates to CILTEXTU of the National Occupational Standards for Languages (CILT, 2010),
and is at Level 4 on the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). These standards are equivalent to aHigher National Certificate, Level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and to Level 7 on the
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
Explanation of work contexts
Although the title refers to work contexts, the content and assessment criteria provide learners with
opportunities to incorporate evidence from a wide range of contexts, including social contexts and social
interaction.
Topics and Content:
The topics and content of any learning on this unit by the learners are expected to be wide-ranging, with
vocabulary that is sufficiently technical as to be unpredictable. The key aspect of this unit is that learners
should be able to understand the delivery of BSL at normal speed over extended periods. This should be
taken to mean passages of five minutes or more.
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Learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the IBSL4AUN unit
Learning outcomes: the Learner will... Assessment Criteria: the Learner can...
1. Be able to understand extended communication
in a range of work-related and social situations.
1.1Identify from discussions and presentations:
a) Specific ideas or opinions
b) The general meaning;
c) The supporting arguments.1.2Follow sustained use of timeframes of (past,
present, future or could happen in certain
circumstances);
1.3Follow extended enquiries or requests;
1.4 Recognise:
a) extended instructions
b) their urgency or priority;
1.5 Recognise opinions;
1.6 Recognise a wide range of:
a) beliefs, feelings or needs
b) preferences.
2. Follow interaction in a range of work-related or
social situations.
2.1 Recognise a wide range of:
a) Introductions;
b) Greetings;
c) Thanks;
d) Apologies;
e) Leave-taking;
2.2 Recognise the right use of signed and non-verbal
cultural conventions;;
2.3 Recognise the extended use of humour;
2.4 Distinguish between formal and informal language
2.5 Recognise a wide range of regional forms;
2.6 Adopt a range of networking strategies.
3. Understand extended language. 3.1 Recognise:
a) a broad range of vocabulary;
b) an extended range of technical language;
c) a wide range of language explaining numerical
data;
d) Extended use of register3.2 Use reference sources to clarify or confirm
meaning;
4. Use strategies to convey information informally
from this language into your own language
4.1 Relay information informally from British Sign
Language into your language.
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
Unit IBSL4AUN
ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
The unit will be assessed by four instruments of assessment, each of which will focus on separate areas
requiring the learner to demonstrate competence in comprehension skills in the use of BSL.
Assessment 1 will be conducted under controlled and supervised conditions. It will consist of material that
will be supplied by IBSL and shall be a DVD of a presentation in BSL from which the learner will have to
identify specific ideas/opinions, the general meaning of the presentation and the arguments that support
the reasoning.
Learners will be allowed a maximum of 30 minutes to complete the assessment.
The assessment will be marked at source by IBSL, who will produce a mark sheet giving the achievement of
the learner, which should be inserted in the coursework file (or e-file) as evidence of their achievement.
Assessment 2 will be conducted through a dialogue using a videophone or webcam (or other visually
recorded devices) with your Teacher-Assessor, who will deliver in BSL a set of instructions or information
over an extended period of approximately three minutes, and the learner will have to relay these
instructions of information verbally through voice-activated recording.
Assessment 3 will be a one-to-one dialogue between the Teacher-Assessor and lasting approximately 15-20
minutes during which they will have a discussion of the Learners choice. During this dialogue, the Learner
is expected to demonstrate as much of the Knowledge & Understanding criteria as possible.
After the assessment, the Teacher-Assessor will give the Learner a Mark sheet which should be inserted
into the learners coursework file (or e-file) as evidence of their achievement, together with the video-
recorded assessment (either on DVD/USB or electronically in the e-file). The Mark Sheet must be dated and
signed by both the Teacher-Assessor and the Learner. This is a joint assessment that also forms part of the
IBSL4ASN evidence.
Assessment 4 will take the form of a live debate in the presence of an External Examiner. This will be
video-recorded for monitoring purposes.
The topic for the live debate will be chosen on the day by the External Examiner from a short-list
previously supplied by IBSL so that there is sufficient unpredictability involved to test the learner. The
debate may involve three or more persons.
This is a joint assessment that also forms part of the IBSL4ASN evidence.
Please also see the Assessment Chart overview at the back of this Qualification Specification.
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language
Unit IBSL4AUN
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
1. Registration of Learners
Registration of learners for this unit, together with the appropriate fees, will be required at the start of the
programme, using the Learner Registration form provided on IBSLs website. The Learner Registration form
must show the Learners date of birth, and the anticipated date of the first assessment. Centres are
expected to secure their Learners unique ID numbers (ULNs) when registering their learners.
Centres authorised by IBSL to pay by invoices may register their Learners online as appropriate.
2. Acknowledgement of Learner Registration
Upon receipt of the Learner Registration Form(s), IBSL will send to the Centre Application for Achievement
forms.
Additional learners may be registered for the Unit after this point upon payment of the Late Entry fee as
stated in the Fees Policy. Any Learner not completing the unit forfeits their fee.
3. Reasonable Adjustments
Centres that request a reasonable adjustment on behalf of their Learner(s) should complete a Reasonable
Adjustment form (a copy of this can be found on IBSLs website) and returned to IBSL with the Learner
Registration Form. IBSL will contact the Centre within two weeks to indicate whether the request has been
approved.
4. Invigilator
It is the responsibility of Centres to appoint a suitably qualified invigilator to oversee and co-ordinate
Assessments 1 & 2 of the unit, ensuring that they are briefed and familiar with IBSLs regulations for
external assessments.
5. Carrying out assessments
All assessments must be carried out under appropriate examination conditions, and no Learner must
receive help from anyone during the assessment. The assessment invigilator and the Teacher-Assessor
must sign the appropriate Learner Assessment Record form to confirm this.
All assessments are carried out at a time agreed by the Centre, the Learner and IBSL, and each Learner
must identify themselves at the start of the assessment in the appropriate place.
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6. The assessment room
Examination conditions mean that the assessment room:
must be identified by an appropriate sign outside the room;
must not contain displays of material which could assist the Learner; must be set up correctly for each assessment, taking into account the lighting, the background and
the position of the participants.
Examination conditions also mean that during Assessment 1:
mobile telephones must be switched off; each learners ID must be confirmed; all unauthorised items/materials/belongings are placed out of reach of the learners; learners are informed they are subject to the rules of the assessment; invigilators must operate and initiate the filmed narrative/e-assessment equipment themselves; invigilators must ensure that the narrative or e-assessment material is not paused or re-wound at
any stage of the assessment;
learners are supervised throughout the assessment; there is no distraction or disturbance during the assessment.
During Teacher-Assessor and Learner assessments (Assessment 2), the following apply:
mobile telephones must be switched off; each learners ID must be confirmed; all unauthorised items/materials/belongings are placed out of reach of the learners; learners are informed they are subject to the rules of the assessment; Teacher-Assessors must operate and initiate the assessment recording equipment themselves; Teacher-Assessors must ensure that the recording is not paused or re-wound at any stage of the
assessment;
there is no distraction or disturbance during the assessment.During live assessments (Assessment 3) in the presence of the External Examiner, the following apply:
mobile telephones must be switched off; each learners ID must be confirmed; all unauthorised items/materials/belongings are placed out of reach of the learners; learners are informed they are subject to the rules of the assessment; Teacher-Assessors must operate and initiate the assessment equipment themselves; the recording may not be paused or re-wound at any stage of the assessment; there is no distraction or disturbance during the assessment; The External Examiner shall have no involvement in the operation of recording equipment.
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7. Misconduct
If the invigilator or assessment co-ordinator observes any misconduct, the assessment must be stopped
immediately, and complete a Misconduct Report Form (available from the IBSL website).
The time of the action must be noted, and the Learner informed of the procedure. The Application for
Achievement should be annotated with a brief statement describing the incident.
8. Emergencies
If an emergency should occur, eg. fire alarm, the assessment room must be evacuated immediately in
accordance with the instructions of the appropriate authority, and a report detailing the time and date of
the incident sent to IBSL.
Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may be (a) resumed of there has been no breach of
assessment security, or (b) cancelled to be rearranged at a later date or (c) if the assessment was almost
completed, a Special Consideration form should be completed on behalf of the Learner(s).
9. After the assessment
It must be ensured that the Application for Achievement form is correctly completed and that all learners
have checked their names are spelt correctly, and that they have signed the form. The form is then sent to
IBSL within 7 days of the assessment taking place.
10. Moderation
IBSL will carry out moderation of all assessments as appropriate, either at source in the case of Assessment
1, or in the Centre during their visit for the live assessments.
11. Issue of results
IBSL will issue the results of the combined assessments within 28 working days of the final assessments
taking place, together with any forms or certificates for onward forwarding to the learners.
13. Appeals and retention of evidence
IBSL expects the Centre to retain all assessment material for a period of 12 months in case of any appeal,
which should be done in accordance with the Appeals Policy in the Centre Handbook/website.
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Unit Specification: IBSL4ASN: Sign Using Extended Signed Language in a range of
work situations
(QCF unit accreditation number: R/503/3717)
Unit Summary, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Unit Summary, Guided Learning Hours and Total Credits
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to handle most aspects of their day-to-day work, including the
unpredictable. The Learner should be able to communicate confidently in a range of discussions, debates,
arguments and lines of reasoning, negotiations, using their language skills. The learner may not always use
these skills concisely or with complete accuracy, but should sign accurately enough to be easily understood.
The learner will be familiar with most common accents or regional forms and can distinguish the style and
formality of the language. The learner will be able to deal with non-routine telephone or video calls inwhich BSL is used.
It is recommended that there are 50 guided learning hours for this unit, of which 30 hours are classroom-
based and 20 hours outside the classroom immersing themselves into the language and doing project work.
The total number of credits for this unit is 9.
Relevance to National Standards
This qualification relates to CILTEXTS of the National Occupational Standards for Languages (CILT, 2010),
and is at Level 4 on the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). These standards are equivalent to a
Higher National Certificate, Level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and to Level 7 on the
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
Explanation of work contexts
Although the title refers to work contexts and/or situations, the content and assessment criteria provide
learners with opportunities to incorporate evidence from a wide range of contexts, including social
contexts and social interaction.
Topics and Content:
The topics and content of any learning on this unit by the learners are expected to be wide-ranging, with
vocabulary that is sufficiently technical as to be unpredictable. The key aspect of this unit is that learners
should be able to sustain their delivery of BSL at normal speed over extended periods. This should be taken
to mean passages of five minutes or more.
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Learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the IBSL4ASN unit
Learning outcomes: the Learner will... Assessment Criteria: the Learner can...
1. Use extended communication in a range of
work-related and social situations.
1.1 Contribute spontaneously to meetings and
discussions;
1.2 Respond appropriately to questions, commentsand arguments, developing them further;
1.3 Make prepared presentations by:
a) providing facts;
b) providing ideas and opinions;
c) supporting arguments;
1.4 Make proposals;
1.5 Give extended instructions or advice;
1.6 Make extended requests or enquiries;
1.7 Express a wide range of beliefs, feelings &
opinions.
2. Sustain communication in a range of contexts. 2.1 Initiate social contact;
2.2 Use the right signed and non-verbal cultural
conventions;
2.3 Adapt register appropriate to the subject matter
and context.
2.4 Find alternative ways to express unfamiliar
terms;
2.5 Use a range of strategies to keep conversations
going smoothly.
3. Use extended BSL accurately and fluently in a
wide range of contexts
3.1 Maintain fluency in extended contributions;
3.2 Maintain fluency and accuracy in shorter
contributions;
3.3 Use accurate:
a) intonation;b) pronunciation/articulation;c) stress;
so that your message can be easily understood.
4. Use extended BSL 4.1 Sign accurately enough to be understood in a
wide range of work-related and social situations;4.2 Use and adapt a wide range of vocabulary with
some complex grammatical structures.
4.3 Use technical language appropriate to the
subject matter
5. Use strategies to convey information informally
from your own language into BSL
5.1 Relay information informally from your language
into BSL
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
Unit IBSL4ASN
ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
The unit will be assessed by four instruments of assessment, each of which will focus on separate areas
requiring the learner to demonstrate competence in production skills in the use of BSL.
Assessment 1 will be conducted under controlled and supervised conditions. It will consist of material that
will be supplied by IBSL and shall be a project presentation in BSL from the learner of at least 15 minutes
duration to a small audience of two people, one of whom must be the teacher-assessor, in which the
learner will have to express specific ideas/opinions, the general meaning of the presentation and the
arguments that support the reasoning;
After the assessment, the Teacher-Assessor will give the Learner a Mark sheet which should be inserted
into the learners coursework file (or e-file) as evidence of their achievement, together with the video-
recorded assessment (either on DVD/USB or electronically in the e-file). The Mark Sheet must be dated and
signed by both the Teacher-Assessor and the Learner.
Assessment 2 will consist of the learner translating a voice-activated recording of spoken English into BSL.
The voice-activated recording will be of at least 3 minutes duration and will be sufficiently technical and
unpredictable to provide a true test of the learners ability to relay information informally from their own
language into BSL. The voice-activated recording will be supplied by IBSL.
Assessment 3 will be a one-to-one dialogue between the Teacher-Assessor and lasting approximately 15-20
minutes during which they will have a discussion of the Learners choice. During this dialogue, the Learner
is expected to demonstrate as much of the Knowledge & Understanding criteria as possible.
After the assessment, the Teacher-Assessor will give the Learner a Mark sheet which should be inserted
into the learners coursework file (or e-file) as evidence of their achievement, together with the video-
recorded assessment (either on DVD/USB or electronically in the e-file). The Mark Sheet must be dated and
signed by both the Teacher-Assessor and the Learner.
This is a joint assessment that also forms part of the IBSL4AUN evidence.
Assessment 4 will take the form of a live debate in the presence of an External Examiner. This will be
video-recorded for monitoring purposes.
The topic for the live debate will be chosen on the day by the External Examiner from a short-list
previously supplied by IBSL so that there is sufficient unpredictability involved to test the learner. The
debate will involve three or more persons.
This is a joint assessment that also forms part of the IBSL4AUN evidence.
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language
Unit IBSL4ASN
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
1. Registration of Learners
Registration of learners for this unit, together with the appropriate fees, will be required at the start of the
programme, using the Learner Registration form provided on IBSLs website. The Learner Registration form
must show the Learners date of birth, and the anticipated date of the first assessment. Centres are
expected to secure their Learners unique ID numbers (ULNs) when registering their learners.
Centres authorised by IBSL to pay by invoices may register their Learners online as appropriate.
2. Acknowledgement of Learner Registration
Upon receipt of the Learner Registration Form(s), IBSL will send to the Centre Application for Achievement
forms.
Additional learners may be registered for the Unit after this point upon payment of the Late Entry fee as
stated in the Fees Policy. Any Learner not completing the unit forfeits their fee.
3. Reasonable Adjustments
Centres that request a reasonable adjustment on behalf of their Learner(s) should complete a Reasonable
Adjustment form (a copy of this can be found on IBSLs website) and returned to IBSL with the Learner
Registration Form. IBSL will contact the Centre within two weeks to indicate whether the request has been
approved.
4.Conducting the assessments
Unless otherwise stated, all assessments in this Unit will be carried out by the Teacher-Assessor. The
exceptions will be where the External Examiner will be present.
5.Carrying out assessments
All assessments must be carried out under appropriate examination conditions, and no Learner must
receive help from anyone during the assessment. The Teacher-Assessor must sign the appropriate Learner
Assessment Record form to confirm this.
All assessments are carried out at a time agreed by the Centre, the Learner and IBSL, and each Learner
must identify themselves at the start of the assessment in the appropriate place.
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6. The assessment room
Examination conditions mean that the assessment room:
must be identified by an appropriate sign outside the room;
must not contain displays of material which could assist the Learner; must be set up correctly for each assessment, taking into account the lighting, the background and
the position of the participants.
During Teacher-Assessor and Learner assessment (Assessment 2), the following apply:
mobile telephones must be switched off; each learners ID must be confirmed; all unauthorised items/materials/belongings are placed out of reach of the learners; learners are informed they are subject to the rules of the assessment; Teacher-Assessors must operate and initiate the assessment equipment themselves; Teacher-Assessors must ensure that the recording is not paused or re-wound at any stage of the
assessment;
there is no distraction or disturbance during the assessment.During live assessments in the presence of the external moderator, the following apply:
mobile telephones must be switched off; each learners ID must be confirmed; all unauthorised items/materials/belongings are placed out of reach of the learners; learners are informed they are subject to the rules of the assessment; Teacher-Assessors must operate and initiate the assessment equipment themselves; the recording may not be paused or re-wound at any stage of the assessment; there is no distraction or disturbance during the assessment; The External Examiner shall have no involvement in the operation of recording equipment.
7. Misconduct
If the invigilator or assessment co-ordinator observes any misconduct, the assessment must be stopped
immediately, and complete a Misconduct Report Form (available from the IBSL website).
The time of the action must be noted, and the Learner informed of the procedure. The Application for
Achievement should be annotated with a brief statement describing the incident.
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8. Emergencies
If an emergency should occur, eg. fire alarm, the assessment room must be evacuated immediately in
accordance with the instructions of the appropriate authority, and a report detailing the time and date of
the incident sent to IBSL.
Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may be (a) resumed of there has been no breach of
assessment security, or (b) cancelled to be rearranged at a later date or (c) if the assessment was almost
completed, a Special Consideration form should be completed on behalf of the Learner(s).
9. After the assessment
It must be ensured that the Application for Achievement form is correctly completed and that all learners
have checked their names are spelt correctly, and that they have signed the form. The form is then sent to
IBSL within 7 days of the assessment taking place.
10. Moderation
IBSL will carry out moderation of all assessments as appropriate, either at source in the case of e-
assessments, or in the Centre during their visit for the live assessments.
11. Issue of results
IBSL will issue the results of the combined assessments within 28 working days of the final assessments
taking place, together with any forms or certificates for onward forwarding to the learners.
13. Appeals and retention of evidence
IBSL expects the Centre to retain all assessment material for a period of 12 months in case of any appeal,
which should be done in accordance with the Appeals Policy in the Centre Handbook/website.
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Unit Specification: IBSL4ALN: Exploring Linguistics in British Sign Language
(QCF unit accreditation number: F/503/3714)
Unit Summary, Guided Learning Hours and Total Credits
IBSL4ALN is a basic introduction to the study of language structure and to the linguistics of British Sign
Language (BSL). It is a totally new concept within British Sign Language Studies, with the aim of giving
learners the linguistic understanding of how BSL functions.
There will be a general introduction that encourages learners to think about languages differently. They will
learn how languages are structured in different areas and how and why languages are different. Learners
will learn that sign language can be thought of as a real language in that it shares many characteristics with
spoken languages (i.e. language change, language families, language variation and so on). Learners will be
introduced to ways in which languages can be analysed (e.g. at the word/sign level or sentence level) and
will be taught to use appropriate terminology to describe how sign language is structured. Homework
assignments will provide learners with the opportunity to engage with BSL data and to describe BSL
independently.
Outcomes: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
- To look at languages differently and understand how languages (whether spoken or signed) aresimilar to and different from each other.
- To learn that sign language are real languages which have developed over time- To understand different ways of looking at languages (e.g. at (and below) the word level and at
sentence level) and how this can apply to both spoken and signed languages.
- To analyse BSL and learn to put into practice key terms used for describing language- To understand how these descriptions can further our understanding of BSL in use today
Guided Learning Hours & Credits
It is recommended that there are 30 guided learning hours for this unit; learners will need to allocate
themselves an additional 20 hours research time outside the classroom making a total of 50 learning hours.
The total number of credits for this unit is 9.
Relevance to National Standards
This qualification relates to the National Occupational Standards Intercultural Working (CILT, 2008), and is
at Level 4 on the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). These standards are equivalent to a Higher
National Certificate, Level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), and to Level 7 on the Scottish
Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
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Learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the IBSL4ALN unit
Learning outcomes: the Learner will... Assessment Criteria: the Learner can...
1. Be able to look at languages differently and
understand how languages (whether spoken or
signed) are similar to and different from each
other.
2. Be able to analyse BSL in terms that further
understanding of signed languages in use today
3. Be able to show how the study of linguistics may
change peoples values and beliefs as their own
culture evolves or as they are exposed to a
different culture;
1.1 Understand how languages (whether spoken or
signed) can be similar to and at the same time
different from each other;
1.2 Understand different ways of looking at
languages at word level and sentence level and how
this can apply to both spoken and signed languages ;
2.1 To analyse BSL and put into practice key terms
for describing language;
2.2 To understand how language descriptions can
further understanding of BSL in use today ;
3.1To demonstrate that sign languages are real
languages that have developed over time.
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
Unit IBSL4ALN
ASSESSMENT SPECIFICATION
The unit will be assessed by two instruments of assessment, each of which will focus on two chosen and
separate areas requiring the candidate to demonstrate analytical skills in the use of BSL.
Assessment 1 will be conducted under controlled and supervised conditions and will comprise of the
observation of a filmed sequence of approximately 3 minutes in length featuring a Deaf person who uses
BSL as their first language telling a story.
Learners will be asked to identify examples from three out of six linguistic areas that you could find in the
filmed clip:
1. Two signs relating to phoneme(s) or Duality
Examples: Name Afternoon (same handshape but change of location)
Like My (same location but change of handshape)
Chew Wash (same handshape action/location but change in NMF)
2. Two signs relating to Sign Formation (i.e using the same location but with different
handshapes)
Example: Morning Doctor
3. Two signs linked to mouth patterns (spoken components) where the mouth pattern is
needed to distinguish the sign from others.
Examples: Metal Finland
Aunt- Uncle
Battery-Uncle
4. Two signs linked to mouth patterns (spoken components) which have first letter signs.
Examples: Geography
Gloucester
Government
Garage
5. Negation signs (facial expressions or mouth patterns like downturned mouth or phew with hand
moving across and away from mouth)
Examples: Nothing
Wasnt any
6. Head-Nods or Head-shakes (can be either a yes-no to a question OR answer to a rhetorical
question that doesnt involve manual signs)
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Examples: A nodding head in confirmation
A headshake (wasnt me!)
The learner should identify the sign with the timing at the top right corner of the clip.
The assessment will include an observation sheet to be completed by the learners. Each learner will be
allowed one hour maximum to complete the assessment, during which they may replay the filmedsequence, or parts thereof, as many times as they wish.
Assessment 2 will be a written (or signed) essay where students will argue the case for sign language as a
real language in answer to these common misconceptions
- sign language is universal- sign language was created to help deaf people- sign language is just English on the hands- sign language and gesture are the same
The assessment can be either in written format of approximately 1500 words, or in a signed video format of
approximately 10 minutes, to be completed in an agreed timescale.
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language
Unit IBSL4ALN
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
1. Registration of Learners
Registration of learners for this unit, together with the appropriate fees, will be required at the start of the
programme, using the Learner Registration form provided on IBSLs website. The Learner Registration form
must show the Learners date of birth, and the anticipated date of the first assessment. Centres are
expected to secure their Learners unique ID numbers (ULNs) when registering their learners.
Centres authorised by IBSL to pay by invoices may register their Learners online as appropriate.
2. Acknowledgement of Learner Registration
Upon receipt of the Learner Registration Form(s), IBSL will send to the Centre Application for Achievement
forms.
Additional learners may be registered for the Unit after this point upon payment of the Late Entry fee as
stated in the Fees Policy. Any Learner not completing the unit forfeits their fee.
3. Reasonable Adjustments
Centres that request a reasonable adjustment on behalf of their Learner(s) should complete a Reasonable
Adjustment form (a copy of this can be found on IBSLs website) and returned to IBSL with the Learner
Registration Form. IBSL will contact the Centre within two weeks to indicate whether the request has been
approved.
4.Conducting the assessments
Unless otherwise stated, all assessments in this Unit will be carried out by the Teacher-Assessor.
5.Carrying out the written assessments
All assessments must be carried out under appropriate examination conditions, and no Learner must
receive help from anyone during the assessment. The Invigilator must sign the appropriate Learner
Assessment Record form to confirm this. All assessments are carried out at a time agreed by the Centre, the
Learner and IBSL, and each Learner must identify themselves at the start of the assessment in the
appropriate place.
The Teacher-Assessor shall sign the questions from the examination paper to the Learner in such a way that
no visual help can be derived by the Learner from the questions.
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6. The assessment room
Examination conditions mean that the assessment room:
must be identified by an appropriate sign outside the room; must not contain displays of material which could assist the Learner; must be set up correctly for each assessment, taking into account the lighting, the background and
the position of the participants.
During the Teacher-Assessor and Learner assessments, the following apply:
mobile telephones must be switched off; each learners ID must be confirmed; all unauthorised items/materials/belongings are placed out of reach of the learners; learners are informed they are subject to the rules of the assessment; Teacher-Assessors must operate and initiate the assessment equipment themselves; Teacher-Assessors must ensure that the recording is not paused or re-wound at any stage of the
assessment;
there is no distraction or disturbance during the assessment.7. Misconduct
If the assessment co-ordinator observes any misconduct, the assessment must be stopped immediately,and complete a Misconduct Report Form (available from the IBSL website).
The time of the action must be noted, and the Learner informed of the procedure. The Application for
Achievement should be annotated with a brief statement describing the incident.
8. Emergencies
If an emergency should occur, eg. fire alarm, the assessment room must be evacuated immediately in
accordance with the instructions of the appropriate authority, and a report detailing the time and date of
the incident sent to IBSL.
Depending on the circumstances, the assessment may be (a) resumed of there has been no breach of
assessment security, or (b) cancelled to be rearranged at a later date or (c) if the assessment was almost
completed, a Special Consideration form should be completed on behalf of the Learner(s).
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9. After the assessment
It must be ensured that the Application for Achievement form is correctly completed and that all learners
have checked their names are spelt correctly, and that they have signed the form. The form is then sent to
IBSL within 7 days of the assessment taking place, together with the DVD/USB and the Question paper.
10. Issue of results
IBSL will issue the results of the combined assessments within 28 working days of the final assessments
taking place, together with any forms or certificates for onward forwarding to the learners.
11. Appeals and retention of evidence
IBSL expects the Centre to retain all assessment material for a period of 12 months in case of any appeal,
which should be done in accordance with the Appeals Policy in the Centre Handbook/website.
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IBSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
Knowledge & Understanding (IBSL4AUN & IBSL4ASN)
Knowledge required for EXTENDED language proficiency at Level 4
Vocabulary
K1: a broad general vocabulary and the technical language related to your work;
K2: a wide range of ways to link ideas and help clarity and fluency, such as:
K2.1 most connectors (e.g. conjunctions like: unless, except that, while; adverbs like: yet,
consequently, in addition;
K2.2 all pronouns
K3: a wide range of different forms of address, greeting, leave-taking, and other polite conventions to
suit different occasions and degrees of formality;
K4: ways to express feelings (e.g. hot-tempered, criticism)
K5: numerical terms (e.g. all numbers, fractions, percentages) and ways to talk about them
Grammatical forms
K6: all commonly used verb forms, positive and negative
K6.1 all tenses or ways to show time frames
K6.2 all aspects if applicable
K6.3 all voices and moods if applicable (e.g. passive, subjunctive)
K6.4 How to express: will, would, can, could, should, may, might, ought, will have, could have,
should have etc.
K7: most commonly used grammatical structures, including those which are complex;
K8: alternative terms and structures which modify style and register for different audiences and
contexts;
K9: aspect and manner (sign languages only);
Non-verbal cultural conventions
K10: the most common spoken/signed and non-verbal polite conventions (e.g.facial expression and
gestures, spatial distance, touch, eye contact)
Reference sources:
K11: how to make effective use of relevant language reference sources (e.g. bilingual & monolingual
dictionaries, thesauruses, grammar books, on-line resources)
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